Minimally Invasive Surgery

University of Maryland Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is widely recognized for making pioneering advances in this patient-friendly surgical approach. Our MIS surgeons, who use this approach for most operations, have performed many of the state of Maryland's first laparoscopic procedures. These include videoscopic cholecystectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, vagotomy, hernia repair, colon resection, splenectomy and nephrectomy.

About MIS

MIS is also known as videoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopy) and "keyhole" surgery, because surgeons are now able to perform procedures through incisions (also called ports) as small as 1/16 of an inch. An endoscope or laparoscope -- a lighted tube with a magnifying camera -- is inserted through an incision, allowing surgeons to get a close-up view of the area. Specially designed surgical instruments are inserted through other incisions, which the surgeons use to perform the procedure.

MIS offers many advantages to the patients as compared to traditional surgery, due largely to the smaller incisions. These advantages include:

Shorter and thus safer procedures

Shorter amount of time in hospital post-surgery

Quicker recovery, return to normal activity

Less scarring, and in some cases virtually no scarring

In addition to providing excellent service and care for our patients, it is important to us that our patients are informed patients. Through personal interaction, handouts and this Web site, we try to educate patients about the procedures they will undergo in terms they can understand.

MIS Extends Beyond Division of General and Oncologic Surgery

Our MIS surgical expertise extends beyond general surgery, as these procedures are intregrated into many clinical areas. These areas include the following:

Cardiac Surgery

Neurosurgery

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Pediatric Surgery

Surgical Oncology

Thoracic Surgery

Transplant Surgery

Urology

Vascular Surgery

We offer a wide range of MIS procedures in the clinical areas listed above. Having such a comprehensive and multidisciplinary MIS center puts us in a unique situation of being able to offer access to the latest in minimally invasive therapy to our patients across the clinical spectrum in new, cutting edge operating rooms.

MIS Fellowship

As an academic medical center, one of our goals is to continue to be one of the top-ranked teaching programs in the country. To that end, we offer a comprehensive MIS fellowship program that includes both clinical and research components.

Research

Innovation comes through research, which is another key component of our center. Our studies compare new minimally invasive techniques with traditional techniques in such areas as post-operative recovery and economic impact. Developments in new technologies, such as more sophisticted instrumentation and imaging techniques, are also part of our research focus.

If you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about our services, please call 1-800-492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians).